Delhi in Another Way – from a non-Delhite

|| Delhi – the other Way ||

Not being from a city makes me over-research as I always feel short of time to visit new places in just 3-4 days. Even to get acquainted with the city’s culture, it needs one to get some planning done beforehand. And those who end up doing planning a lot always search for off the track places to visit along with all the well-known ones.

Before visiting Delhi, I searched up, discussed with people around me and those I know share the same kind of interests about recommendations for places. So, doing this homework introduced me to the places which are obviously less crowded and lesser touristy than the Red Fort and like-wise places.

All that we found out is that Delhi is draped throughout with history and culture even after all the infamous news to which it came in the recent times. Hence here is our recommendation to some of the photogenic different angles to Delhi’s Tourism. For all the newcomers to the city and the ones who have been here for years, find your time out over a short weekend and get a visit to these places.

1. Rashtrapati Bhawan – the Presidential Palace

Directly went to Rashtrapati Bhawan as the flight was late by 1.5 hours. Sometimes I feel when I am in a hurry, the whole Earth assembles to make me more impunctual.

Anyways, with luggage and walking from the main gate (since the auto rickshaw had to drop us there), we were already too sweaty and tired.

The process of making ID pass was not too long – Aadhar or any photo identity card (passport for foreigners) is a must.

As we were shifted to the 4 pm slot, we had some time to cool down. We visited Circuit 1 only.

It comprises of the Durbar Hall, Ashoka Hall (which was the most splendid of all), the Banquet Hall, the Museum and other few areas.

Rashtrapati Bhavan visit – an experience in itself

Tips to Visit:

Pre-plan beforehand if you want to visit on a weekend – slots get fulfilled quickly.

At the heaven of Spices, it is a paradise for the photographers to document the activities and the varieties of spices stacked in a shop. For the complete experience, you can check here – Our Visit to the Khari Baoli.

How to Reach:

3. Humayun’s Tomb and Group of Monuments

Located near the crossing of Mathura road and Lodhi road, this magnificent garden tomb is a great example of Mughal architecture in India. built in 1570, it was the first garden tomb in Asia.

Humayun’s Tomb

Arab k Sarai – built by Humayun’s wife for 300 Arab priests she brought back from her Hajj pilgrimage|| The door to Wanders || – At the complex of Humayun’s Tomb, lies the Nila Gumbad and other tombs.Isa Khan tomb -Some hidden delights of history – a little unknown, a little less exploredPatterns and lights – through the intricately designed latticed windows of Isa Khan Tomb. The Jali/ latticed window helps in lowering the indoor temperature by compressing the air through the holes and giving it the velocity for diffusion.

Quick Tips:

Opp0site Dargah Nizamuddin, nearest Metro Station is JLN Stadium

It is open Daily, fromSunrise to sunset

Entry Fee is INR 30 (for Indians) and INR 500 (for foreigners)

No Photography Charges, INR 25 for video filming

4. Lodhi Gardens

Consisting of Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, this city park is well kept between Khan Market and Safdarjung’s Tomb.

Shisha Gumbad (Glass dome) at the Lodi Gardens

A great place to sit in the afternoon and admire the nature and the historical architectures, before independence it was known as The Lady Willingdon Garden. One can relax, take a stroll or do nothing or do some people watching as the park is completely a different world away from the otherwise busy streets of Delhi.

In the middle of Lodi Gardens lies the Bada Gumbad. It’s architecture dates back to the 15th century, before Babur defeated Sikander Lodi. Still the detailings over the reminescences are so mesmerizing!!

The Bada Gumbad, located centrally to the park, is not a tomb, but a gateway to three mosques attached adjacently. Opposite to the Bara Gumbad is the Shisha Gumbad (“Glass dome”). The name is for the glazed tiles used in its construction. It contains the remains of an unknown family. Both of these structures were built during the reign of Sikander Lodi.

How to Reach:

Nearest is the Jor Bagh metro station. It will take 15-20 minutes of walking. Or you can get an auto that will cost about 50-60 INR.

Entry is Free to the garden.

5. Tomb of Safdarjung

Located at the intersection of Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg, this serene enclosed tomb of Safdarjung is a small pleasure with a right dose of Mughal Architecture. Nowhere overworked yet royal enough, this is a must visit for some great photos as well as some good times.

The main entry gate to the Safdarjung tomb is two-storied and its front side has very elaborate ornamental murals over plastered surfaces in ornate purple colour.Sun basking at one of the lesser crowded places in Delhi – Safdarjung TombSometimes looking back while entering a premise is worth rewarding

At one of the by-lanes of old Delhi near Chandni Chowk, this 19th century home of the famous Ghalib is located at 5 minutes away from BalliMaran.

one of the rooms at the Ghalib’s place

Renovated under the joint venture of Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Government of Delhi, this Museum of Mirza Ghalib has been designed by Showcraft, they have kept the place in accordance to the historical shreds of evidence and with the parity to a Sufi poet’s house.

How to Reach:

Get a rickshaw and ask to take you to BalliMaran. It will hardly take 20 to 30 INR

From Bali Maran Junction, start walking and follow the Google Maps.

Journey to the place will be worth through the crowded bustles of typical Old Delhi

Best Time to Visit:

Even on a weekend afternoon, the place was quiet and peaceful.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (Monday closed)

Some Tips:

No entry fees for the place

Photography is allowed inside the museum

Washrooms are not there inside the place

Time needed to visit would be around 20-30 minutes

The bust of Ghalib at the Museum

7. Purana Quila

Located adjacent to the Delhi Zoo on Mathura Road, this place was shown in the movie of Love Aaj Kal. Built on the site of the most ancient Indraprastha, Purana Quila is roughly rectangular having a circuit of nearly two kilometers.

The fort of Purana Quila was the inner citadel of the city during Humayun’s ruleAnother door to the past – closed and at peace with its own stories. Sometimes the doors to the past needs to be kept closed for venturing forward. Traveling to different places, getting familiar and leaving cities and towns – doors to great stories are also kept secret and protected many times.

The massive gateway and walls of Purana Quila were built by Humayun and the foundation was laid for the new capital, Dinpanah. The later work was carried out by Sher Shah Suri, who had defeated Humayun.

When drenched in the heat of the summer, yet ready for some poses

How to Reach:

Nearest Metro Station is Pragati Maidan

Open on all days

Entry Fee is 20 INR (for Indians) and 200 INR (for foreigners)

No Photography Charges, 25 INR (for video camera)

Sher Mandal at Purana Quila – the double storeyed octagonal building, used as observatory and library by Humayun. This is the spot where Humayun fell from the second floor to his death.

8. Tughlaqabad Fort

Located away from the other historical places of Delhi on the Mehrauli-Badarpur road, this Fort is said to be abandoned due to the curse of a saint as Ghiyas -ud-din Tughlaq forced all labors to work for his Fort stopping the other works. This had stopped the construction of the step well of the famous Sufi mystic, Nizam-ud-din Auliya. He then cursed its construction by uttering: “Ya rahe ujjar, ya bassey gujjar”. It means, ‘either it stays occupied or taken by Gujjars’.

Ancient, yet so perfectly aligned with time. At Tughlaqabad fort – which is mostly in ruins now, mellow winds passing through the structures seemed to carry stories of the by-gone era. It’s on the visitor to find them all over the place. As such there is only a guiding map at the entrance of the fort. Till today, it is yet a less explored place in Delhi.

The Fort was built in four years as a defense from the enemies but never fully populated and abandoned in 15 years. Now the ruins of the huge walls give the place a haunting atmosphere.

How to Reach:

Station Govindpuri on the Violet Metro line is 5km away from the fort. From there, you can take a local auto rickshaw for Rs 50 of minimum fair.

Local drivers did not understand the place by the name of the Fort, so we had to ask for taking us to the nearby village. Rest we depended on the Google Maps.

Quick Tips:

The Fort is open on all days of the week. Entry timings: 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry fee: For Indians 5 INR and for foreigners, it is 100 INR

Climb up the pathways and the stairs to get a view of the landscape.

Also, check the hidden ways at the fort area to explore and understand the histories.

Visit this place with a full stomach as there is no trace of vendors nearby